The executive vice-chairman (EVC) of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Halilu has assured the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) that NASENI is unwavering in its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s technology and innovation landscape.
Halilu made this commitment during the opening ceremony of a two-day staff training conducted by the bureau. The training, led by BPSR’s director-general, Mr. Dasuki Arabi focused on the mandatory deployment of self-assessment tools (SAT) for service delivery at NASENI’s headquarters in Abuja.
Reaffirming NASENI’s dedication to its mandate, Halilu emphasised the agency’s focus on the NASENI 3Cs principles of collaboration, creation and commercialisation. He highlighted the importance of harnessing technology, human skills and talents to deliver substantial benefits to Nigeria across various fronts.
Halilu stressed the need for comprehensive self-assessment to effectively carry out NASENI’s mandate. He explained, “This tool enables organizations to evaluate themselves comprehensively, gaining insights into how effectively they are meeting their goals. BPSR has employed a participatory focus group approach as the methodology for this tool, making it accessible to individuals across all levels of the Public Service”.
Encouraging participants to fully engage in the self-assessment process, Halilu outlined the advantages NASENI stands to gain from SAT implementation. These include identifying strengths and areas for improvement, enhancing professional practices, fostering partnerships with esteemed organisations, and creating opportunities for growth and skill acquisition.
In response, Arabi, representing BPSR, highlighted the initiation of the self-assessment tools for monitoring and evaluating reforms in ministries, agencies and departments (MDAs) of the Federal Government to enhance effective service delivery. Arabi emphasised that SAT is crucial for planning, accountability and the management of public funds, aiming to ensure a corruption-free system, especially in financial transactions.
Arabi called on NASENI as a government agency to fully embrace SAT in all its operations and ensure accountability to deliver effectively. He emphasised that the EVC is there to guide them, but ownership of their work is essential for successful implementation and improvement.
The commitment of NASENI to utilise the self-assessment tools reflects a proactive approach to evaluate and enhance its performance, aligning with the government’s directives for reforms and transparency within government agencies.
